Drinking-up time
Meaning: The period after last orders when you can finish but not buy more drinks.
After last orders is called, you can't buy more drinks, but you have drinking-up time to finish what you've got. This grace period is typically 20-30 minutes. After drinking-up time, 'time' is called and you must leave. It's a structured wind-down.
Examples
- We're in drinking-up time now. 我们现在进入饮完时间了Estamos en tiempo de terminar las bebidas今はドリンキングアップタイムだ지금은 음료를 다 마시는 시간이야.
- You've got twenty minutes drinking-up time. 你有二十分钟的饮完时间Tenéis veinte minutos para terminar飲み干し時間は20分だ마시는 시간 20분 있어.
- No new orders—drinking-up time only. 不能再点了——只能喝完手上的No se aceptan más pedidos, solo tiempo para terminar新しい注文は不可、飲み干し時間のみ새 주문 불가—음료를 다 마시는 시간만 남았어.
Pronunciation
/ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ ʌp taɪm/
Usage Guide
Context: pub, closing, licensing
Tone: practical, regulatory
✓ Do Say
- Drinking-up time饮完时间Tiempo para terminar la bebida飲み干し時間마시는 시간
- In drinking-up time在饮完时间内En tiempo de terminar飲み干し時間中마시는 시간 중
✗ Don't Say
- Can't order new drinks during drinking-up time饮完时间内不能点新的饮品No se pueden pedir bebidas nuevas durante el drinking-up timeドリンキングアップタイム中は新しい飲み物を注文できない마시는 시간 중에는 새로운 음료를 주문할 수 없음
Common Mistakes
- Period after last orders but before having to leave
- Typically 20-30 minutes in British pubs
Origin & History
British licensing laws established drinking-up time to allow orderly closing. It prevents the rushed gulping of last orders and allows gradual emptying of the pub. The tradition remains even with relaxed licensing.
Etymology: From the period for drinking up remaining drinks
First recorded: Licensing law terminology
Cultural Context
Era: Licensing law tradition
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Pop culture: British licensing culture
Regional notes: British pub regulation.
Variations
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